Burton’s stock on the rise

The son of 2002 NASCAR Daytona 500 champion Ward Burton has now recorded two wins at Ace Speedway, which does not have NASCAR certification, but still provides plenty of competition.

Burton has less pressure now that he’s visited Victory lane. The burden of being a winless driver in late model has eased.

“I think I’ll be a lot better race car driver now. I feel like I don’t have to prove anything like I did. I feel more relaxed, I think that was hurting me in limited a little bit a couple of years ago. now,” he said.

“I was trying to win so bad I wasn’t focused on the race car.”

Burton is not running Friday night for what’s expected to be a strong field for the pre-fourth of July feature race at South Boston Speedway.

Burton said he has a good car at Ace, and noted he’s working on other deals.

He expects to see some forward progress in his racing career, and he believes he is ready to move to the next level of racing.

“A lot of my buddies are doing well at the next level. I’m pretty sure if they can do it, I can do it,” said Burton, referrring specifically to Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney, now on the K&N Pro Series East circuit.

Jeb Burton, now 18, is also capitalizing on his relationship with Kevin Jones, who has a race team.

“When I go to the next level, it’ll be because of Kevin and my dad,” said Burton, who said the Greensboro businessman can help Jeb get to a higher level of racing.

Burton also plans to compete in the Martinsville NASCAR late model all-star field, but he said he has no immediate plans to compete at South Boston. Burton concedes he’s struggled at SBS.

Regardless of the ramifications of this issue, Burton is maturing as a driver.

“I’m getting better with my communications, and I’m having more fun, I’m running up front. I’m running for wins every week. The last three weeks I’ve been side by side for the lead, leading races, winning races, that’s what it’s all about,” Burton said.

Burton also narrowly missed the pole at Ace the last time out, qualifying fifth.

Burton returns to Ace in two weeks, and may run for the track title there, depending on how the season plays out.